Another New Orleans outrage
Judge drops charges on Katrina killer cops
By
LeiLani Dowell
Published Aug 20, 2008 11:26 PM
Just two weeks before the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina—and the
racist, genocidal neglect of survivors by local and federal officials and
agencies in the storm’s aftermath—a New Orleans judge has dismissed
charges against six police officers in the killing of two unarmed survivors
just days after the storm.
On the morning of Sept. 4, 2005, survivors of Katrina were attempting to cross
the Danziger Bridge in New Orleans on foot to reach a grocery store. According
to witnesses, they were ambushed by police officers who jumped out of the back
of a rental truck and began shooting. Ronald Madison, a 40-year-old, mentally
disabled man, was killed by seven shots in his back and shoulder; 19-year-old
James Brisette was also killed.
In addition, Susan Bartholomew’s arm was partially blown off and her
spouse, daughter and nephew were all shot multiple times. All six officers were
put on desk duty but continue to work for the New Orleans Police
Department.
To add further insult, Madison’s brother Lance—a 25-year employee
of FedEx with no criminal record—was arrested, jailed and accused of
shooting at the officers. The charges were later dropped.
Criminal District Judge Raymond Bigelow threw out the charges against the
officers on two technicalities—one, that they were made to testify in
front of the same grand jury that indicted them; and two, that a police
lieutenant who was expected to testify alleged he had been shown one of the
officers’ grand jury testimonies. Both actions are impermissible by
Louisiana state law.
However, rather than find the district attorney’s office in contempt of
court, the judge chose to further punish the family members of the slain by
completely dismissing the charges against the police officers.
The entire case has been fraught with bias and corruption. Physical evidence
was not gathered for the investigation for seven weeks; other evidence, such as
the rental truck the police used, was discarded. Most of the eyewitnesses
interviewed by homicide detectives were police officers, and the investigative
report based some of its conclusions on testimony given by a man pretending to
be a sheriff’s deputy.
New Orleans Times-Picayune columnist Jarvis DeBerry describes a mountain of
conflicts of interest in the trial: “Judge Bigelow employs a woman
married to the spokesman of the Fraternal Order of Police, a major backer of
the accused officers. Another employee’s father is defending one of the
accused officers in court. The judge’s law clerk is a former partner of a
lawyer representing an accused officer.” (Aug. 17)
A protest was held against the ruling, organized by Safe Streets, Strong
Communities. While the court clerk told reporters that the state plans to
appeal (CNN, Aug. 13), it will take a continued struggle by the people of New
Orleans and their allies to bring justice.
Articles copyright 1995-2012 Workers World.
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011
Email:
[email protected]
Subscribe
[email protected]
Support independent news
DONATE